Interferon Methods and Protocols / Edition 1

by Daniel J. J. Carr

Overview

A compendium of optimized methods to measure type I interferon efficacy as an antiproliferative or an antiviral agent. These cutting-edge techniques range from the simple to the highly complex and serve to illuminate the signaling cascades and the activation of enzymatic pathways prompted by interferon. The prools follow the successful Methods in Molecular Medicine™ series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

State-of-the-art and highly practical, Interferon Methods and Prools offers researchers powerful tools not only to ascertain the functions of IFN-stimulatory gene products, but also to identify additional molecular pathways that will clarify our understanding of the many biological events influenced by IFNs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781617375545
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	11/10/2010
Series:	Methods in Molecular Medicine , #116
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of hardcover 1st ed. 2005
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.02(d)

Table of Contents

Biological and Clinical Basis for Molecular Studies of Interferons.- Interferon Research.- Virus Infection and the Interferon Response.- Genomic DNA Affinity Chromatography.- Protein Engineering of Interferon Alphas.- Assays for the Interferon-Induced Enzyme 2?,5? Oligoadenylate Synthetases.- A Convenient and Sensitive Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer Assay for RNase L and 2?,5? Oligoadenylates.- Regulation of Murine Interferon Regulatory Factor Gene Expression in the Central Nervous System Determined by Multiprobe RNase Protection Assay.- Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathways in Interferon Signaling.- Development of an Interferon-Based Cancer Vaccine Prool.- Type I Interferons as Regulators of the Differentiation/Activation of Human Dendritic Cells.- Flow Cytometric Techniques for Studying Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Mixed Populations.- Analysis of Anti-Interferon Properties of the Herpes Simplex Virus Type I ICP0 Protein.- Interferon Subtype Gene Therapy for Regulating Cytomegalovirus Disease.- Transfection of Müller Cells With Type I Interferon Transgenes.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Marion C. Cohen, PhD (SUNY Downstate Medical Center)
Description: This volume in the Methods in Molecular Medicine series starts with two chapters about the history of interferon, with the remainder focused on current aspects of interferon research. As in all books in this series, each chapter includes a detailed experimental protocol. In this book the focus is on a variety of aspects of interferon, its receptors, and its signaling pathways, among other topics.
Purpose: The goal is to illustrate some of the current techniques that are being used to study specific aspects of interferon-elicited events. Indeed, that goal is achieved although it is difficult to determine whether there is a more unifying theme to the chapters than interferon. Nonetheless, the protocols will be very useful to anyone who works in the areas that are covered.
Audience: The book is primarily intended for researchers at any level of experience who are looking for a particular type of assay, thus it is an appropriate reference. The editor is an authority in his specific area of research and he has chosen authors who are knowledgeable about various aspects of interferon research.
Features: A broad collection of research protocols are described in this book. Without listing each chapter, it is difficult to find a common theme except to state that the protocols represent innovative methods and are all focused on various aspects of interferon such as receptors, activation steps, and vaccine development, to name a few. Figures are black and white with one exception. As with the other volumes in this series, in addition to the "recipes," there are helpful hints and troubleshooting suggestions in the form of notes. This manual of interferon-related assays would be a useful reference for a number of laboratories but may not include something for everyone.
Assessment: If one were to want one of these protocols, this book is very useful. Unfortunately, because it is somewhat focused on specific protocols and because the thread is interferon-related protocols rather than something more focused, this may not be a book that is needed by every laboratory. On the other hand, there are a limited number of clearly described advanced protocols available, so that this is a nice reference to have at least in the library.

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